Category: Concert Orchestra

MYS Concert Orchestra Posts

CONCERT Orchestra Notes for March 22, 2026

Posted on by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

CONCERT Orchestra Notes for March 22, 2026

Dear Concert Orchestra,

Thank you so much for your work with Zoe Schlussel, who gave a wonderful workshop on Body Mapping on Sunday, 3/15. I hope that this training will help you prevent playing-related injuries in the long term. If you want more information, resources, or private lessons on Body Mapping, you can reach out to Zoe directly at zoe.schlussel@gmail.com.

We ***do*** have rehearsal this Sunday, with sectionals (strings with me, brass with Heidi Aispuro), and coachings (each woodwind section with a coach). Please see below for details.

Best,

Dr. G.

rehearsals left before concert

5

Recap – March 8, 2026

  • 2:00pm-2:50pm: Tutti reading session of Jacobi Esparza’s Movimientos de la Muerte
  • 2:50pm: break
  • 3:00pm-4:00pm: Body Mapping workshop with Zoe Schlussel

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, March 22

Please arrive by 1:45pm. We can always use extra hands to help set up the room if you are able to get there closer to 1:30pm. I will arrive at 1:30pm to open the space.

  • Arrival: 1:45pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
  • 2:00pm-3:15pm: Sectionals/coachings on Jupiter:
    • Strings with RGR
    • Brass with Heidi Aispuro
    • Flutes with Robert Wakeley
    • Clarinets with Lisa Lipton
    • Oboes with coach
    • Bassoons with coach
  • 3:15pm: break
  • 3:30pm-5:00pm: tutti: Guest conductor Jonathan DeBruyn will lead rehearsal on Jupiter and Ichmourachov‘s Viola Concerto.
  • 4:00pm – end of rehearsal

MYS CONCERT Part Assignments, Orchestra Schedule, Repertoire, Audio Reference, etc…

Find all relevant PDFs and links on the side bar of this webpage (or bottom of the page if on mobile).

Spring Concert Date confirmed: Sunday, May 10

Sunday, May 10 at 4pm at The Reser. As usual, a sound check rehearsal will take place earlier in the day. Please mark your calendars!

MYS Concert Orchestra SPRING BREAK

Spring Break for Concert Orchestra will be on Sunday, March 29 and Sunday, April 5. There will be no rehearsals on these dates. Please note that these are different weekends compared to our Saturday rehearsals. The reason is that April 5th is Easter Sunday, so we shifted the break for our Sunday ensembles to avoid having 3 Sundays off in a row. This would have created a disproportionate negative impact on music preparation for our concerts.

Find PDF Practice Parts at the MYS Online Music Library

If you lose your part, or need to access a digital copy for any reason, you can find one in our Online Music Library. Look for the button “C.O. Music Library” on the sidebar or the bottom of this blog page. The password is playmys.

Availability for private lessons

I don’t take long-term regular private students, but this season I will have some availability on Monday afternoons for “one-off” violin, viola or conducting lessons. The lessons can be in person at the MYS building in SE Portland, or via Zoom. (I may also be available for private coaching sessions for other instruments, but my specific instrumental training is upper strings.) Shoot me an e-mail if you’re interested for more details.

Happy practicing,
(and don’t forget to bring a music stand)

Dr. G.

Zoe Schlussel leading her Body Mapping workshop | March 15, 2026

CONCERT Orchestra Notes for March 15, 2026

Posted on by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

CONCERT Orchestra Notes for March 15, 2026

Dear Concert Orchestra,

Nice work on Sunday 3/8. Remember that this coming Sunday (3/15) we have a modified rehearsal schedule (2:00pm-4:00pm) due to the MYS Community Concert happening at All Saints at 7pm.

Also, we’ll be welcoming a special guest: Zoe Schlussel, who will be giving a workshop on Body Mapping. More information about this below.

Best,

Dr. G.

rehearsals left before concert

6

Recap – March 8, 2026

  • First half of rehearsal: Sectionals on Jupiter
    • Strings worked with Casey Bozell
    • Trumpets and low brass with Heidi Aispuro
    • Horns with Lizzie Upton
    • Percussion with Kevin Schlossman
  • Second half: tutti work on Jupiter

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, March 15

Please arrive by 1:45pm. We can always use extra hands to help set up the room if you are able to get there closer to 1:30pm. I will arrive at 1:30pm to open the space.

  • Arrival: 1:45pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
  • 2:00pm-2:50pm: Tutti
    • Reading session of Jacobi Esparza’s Movimientos de la Muerte
    • If we have time remaining, we will read the viola concerto (no soloist)
  • 2:50pm: break
  • 3:00pm-4:00pm: Body Mapping workshop with Zoe Schlussel
  • 4:00pm – end of rehearsal

What is Body Mapping?

“Taught in universities, colleges, conservatories, and private studios world-wide, Body Mapping encourages wellness, enhances musicians’ expressive possibilities, and fosters music making without limitations. Body Mapping invites us to replace our faulty body maps with anatomically correct maps in order to reduce tension and allow for effortless and expressive movement.

In Body Mapping, one learns to gain access to one’s own body map through self-observation and self-inquiry. The student corrects his or her own body map by assimilating accurate information provided by kinesthetic experience, the use of a mirror, anatomical models, books, pictures, and teachers. One learns to recognize the source of inefficient or harmful movement and how to replace it with movement that is efficient, elegant, direct, and powerful based on the truth about one’s structure, function, and size.” (excerpt from here).

PSU‘s Zoe Schlussel has generously offered to give this workshop to our students free of charge. We’re very grateful, and I’m very excited to have you work with her this Sunday.

MYS CONCERT Part Assignments, Orchestra Schedule, Repertoire, Audio Reference, etc…

Find all relevant PDFs and links on the side bar of this webpage (or bottom of the page if on mobile).

Spring Concert Date confirmed: Sunday, May 10

Sunday, May 10 at 4pm at The Reser. As usual, a sound check rehearsal will take place earlier in the day. Please mark your calendars!

MYS Concert Orchestra SPRING BREAK

Spring Break for Concert Orchestra will be on Sunday, March 29 and Sunday, April 5. There will be no rehearsals on these dates. Please note that these are different weekends compared to our Saturday rehearsals. The reason is that April 5th is Easter Sunday, so we shifted the break for our Sunday ensembles to avoid having 3 Sundays off in a row. This would have created a disproportionate negative impact on music preparation for our concerts.

Find PDF Practice Parts at the MYS Online Music Library

If you lose your part, or need to access a digital copy for any reason, you can find one in our Online Music Library. Look for the button “C.O. Music Library” on the sidebar or the bottom of this blog page. The password is playmys.

Availability for private lessons

I don’t take long-term regular private students, but this season I will have some availability on Monday afternoons for “one-off” violin, viola or conducting lessons. The lessons can be in person at the MYS building in SE Portland, or via Zoom. (I may also be available for private coaching sessions for other instruments, but my specific instrumental training is upper strings.) Shoot me an e-mail if you’re interested for more details.

Happy practicing,
(and don’t forget to bring a music stand)

Dr. G.

Thank you to PSU and Zoe Schlussel for bringing this important workshop to MYS students!

CONCERT Orchestra Notes for March 8, 2026

Posted on by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

CONCERT Orchestra Notes for March 8, 2026

Dear Concert Orchestra,

I’m excited to see you all again this Sunday. Please see below for our rehearsal plan, part assignments for this term, confirmed spring concert date, and more.

Also, looking ahead, a heads-up/reminder that on Sunday, March 15, we have a modified rehearsal schedule due to the MYS Community Concert happening at All Saints at 7pm.

Best,

Dr. G.

rehearsals left before concert

7

Recap – March 1, 2026

  • You were asked to come to MYS Symphony Orchestra’s concert, which included Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6. I was very pleased about how that concert went. I hope you were inspired! I also hope to see many of you in that group next season.

Rehearsal Plan for Sunday, March 8

Please arrive by 1:45pm. We can always use extra hands to help set up the room if you are able to get there closer to 1:30pm. I will arrive at 1:30pm to open the space.

  • Arrival: 1:45pm – EVERYBODY SIGN IN IN CAFETERIA.
  • 2:00pm-3:15pm: Sectionals/coachings on Jupiter
    • Strings with Casey Bozell (pavilion)
    • Woodwinds with Robert Wakeley (cafeteria)
    • Trumpet & trombones with Heidi Aispuro (music room)
    • Horns with Lizzie Upton (annex)
    • Percussion with Kevin Schlossman (conference room)
  • 3:15pm-3:30pm: break
  • 3:30pm-4:00pm: concert debriefing, spring term overview, listen to pieces
  • 4:00pm-5:00pm: Jupiter (tutti)

Part Assignments for Spring Term

Before you click the link to the PDF, a reminder: my part assignments are *not* rankings. I take many factors into consideration. In this case, a few of those factors are: your leadership audition, winter attendance records, ensemble and repertoire needs, leadership opportunities, balanced sections and more.

I’m trying a new document format for this term. You’ll find a PDF with 4 pages. The first one is a general roster of the orchestra, in alphabetical order, by section. Then, each piece that we will be playing has its own page, with different string and wind/brass assignments. Please let me know if you spot any accidental omissions or errors.

To find the PDF, click on the button on the side bar of this page (or bottom of the page if you’re on your phone) that says “C.O. SPRING 2026 ROSTER & PART ASSIGNMENTS.”

MYS CONCERT Part Assignments, Orchestra Schedule, Repertoire, Audio Reference, etc…

On the side bar (or bottom of the page if on mobile), you’ll also find a PDF labeled “C.O. SPRING REPERTOIRE INFORMATION.” Here you’ll find the list of pieces we’re playing, as well as their instrumentation and duration.

Spring Concert Date confirmed: Sunday, May 10

Sunday, May 10 at 4pm at The Reser. As usual, a sound check rehearsal will take place earlier in the day. Please mark your calendars!

MYS Concert Orchestra SPRING BREAK

Spring Break for Concert Orchestra will be on Sunday, March 29 and Sunday, April 5. There will be no rehearsals on these dates. Please note that these are different weekends compared to our Saturday rehearsals. The reason is that April 5th is Easter Sunday, so we shifted the break for our Sunday ensembles to avoid having 3 Sundays off in a row. This would have created a disproportionate negative impact on music preparation for our concerts.

Find PDF Practice Parts at the MYS Online Music Library

If you lose your part, or need to access a digital copy for any reason, you can find one in our Online Music Library. Look for the button “C.O. Music Library” on the sidebar or the bottom of this blog page. The password is playmys.

Availability for private lessons

I don’t take long-term regular private students, but this season I will have some availability on Monday afternoons for “one-off” violin, viola or conducting lessons. The lessons can be in person at the MYS building in SE Portland, or via Zoom. (I may also be available for private coaching sessions for other instruments, but my specific instrumental training is upper strings.) Shoot me an e-mail if you’re interested for more details.

Happy practicing,
(and don’t forget to bring a music stand)

Dr. G.

MYS Concert Orchestra | February 22, 2026 | Newmark Theatre | Photo by MYS

CONCERT Orchestra: Leadership Audition Information

Posted on by Raúl Gómez-Rojas

CONCERT Orchestra: Leadership Audition Information

All members of the orchestra are expected to submit their audition video by the deadline of Tuesday, February 10.

Instructions:

  • Please create one single video with all required excerpts. Cuts are not allowed within excerpts. You may do separate takes for each excerpt and stitch them together into a single video.
  • An audible metronome must be used for your videos. The tempo for the Mozart symphony (1st movement) is half note = 100
  • Upload your video to YouTube and make sure to set the video privacy to “unlisted.”
  • Submit your audition on this Google form.

Audition Excerpts (all from Mozart, Symphony No. 40, Movement 1)

Flute

  • m. 69 to m. 105 (no repeat)
  • m. 228 to m. 260

Oboes (both parts)

  • m. 85 to m. 105 (no repeat)
  • m. 114 to m. 138
  • m. 273 to m. 284

Clarinet 1

  • m. 45 to m. 66
  • m. 81 to m. 101 (no repeat)
  • m. 269 to m. 287

Clarinet 2

  • m. 85 to m. 101 (no repeat)
  • m. 153 to m. 166
  • m. 273 to m. 287

Bassoon 1

  • m. 45 to m. 76
  • m. 115 (with pick-up) to downbeat of m. 134
  • m. 228 to m. 260

Bassoon 2

  • m. 85 to m. 105 (no repeat)
  • m. 115 (with pick-up) to downbeat of m. 134
  • m. 191 to m. 210

Violins (both parts)

  • m. 21 (with pick-up) to m. 54
  • m. 85 (with pick-up) to m. 100
  • m. 104 (with pick-up) to m. 126 (2nd quarter)
  • m. 184 (with pick-up) to m. 225

Viola

  • m. 1 to m. 20 (prioritize even, light bow stroke – NOT in the upper half)
  • m. 105 to downbeat of m. 134
  • m. 185 to m. 210

Cello

  • m. 85 to m. 95
  • m. 115 (with pick-up) to downbeat of m. 134
  • m. 191 to m. 210

Bass

  • m. 44 to m. 70
  • m. 198 to m. 210